Vigils held across Europe in support of Charlie Hebdo, press freedom (PHOTOS)
Thousands gathered for rallies in French cities, standing in solidarity with victims of the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris that killed 12 on Wednesday. At the biggest rally, in Paris, people lit candles and held up their pens to support press freedom.
Paris witnessed a large rally on Place de la République, which is located close to the office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
Masked gunmen stormed the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday morning. Ten journalists and two policemen were killed. Police said that three gunmen carried out the assault. They are still at large, while Paris is on high alert.
READ MORE: Paris manhunt: 3 gunmen at large, 12 shot dead at Charlie Hebdo offices
The attack was presumably triggered by cartoons published earlier by the satirical left-wing paper, which portrayed the Prophet Muhammad. The gunmen reportedly called out the victims by name during the attack, shouting: “We have avenged the Prophet."
People mourned the victims by lighting candles and holding up pens in a show of support for press freedom.
Making sure the light doesn't go out #Republique#Parispic.twitter.com/KgtbL68kcF
— Sruthi Gottipati (@GoSruthi) January 7, 2015
Various groups gathered at #Republique#JeSuisCharlie#ParisAttackpic.twitter.com/aR6ADR5R1g
— Sruthi Gottipati (@GoSruthi) January 7, 2015
Protesters held placards reading “Je suis Charlie,” which translates to “I am Charlie.”
The same #JeSuisCharlie hashtag has been treanding on social media, with users stating that the attackers cannot take away their freedom.
READ MORE: #JeSuisCharlie: World stands with Charlie Hebdo victims
#Republique gathering pic.twitter.com/E1TbsVfO4Q
— Sruthi Gottipati (@GoSruthi) January 7, 2015
"I am free. I am free to think. I am free to tolerate. I am
free to caricature. I am Charlie," wrote Twitter user Audrey
Sommazi.
French newspapers placed black banners on their websites reading
“Je suis Charlie.”
#JeSuisCharlie tribute to #CharlieHebdo at #AFP news room in Paris pic.twitter.com/J1vTDttDwg
— AFP Photo Department (@AFPphoto) January 7, 2015
Thousands gathered in Bordeaux in southwestern France. People
rallied in front of City Hall in Rennes, western France.
#JeSuisCharlie rassemblement solidaire en cours à #Bordeaux#CharlieHebdopic.twitter.com/o6sqW5wfjC
— Bordeaux (@Bordeaux) January 7, 2015
In Strasbourg, Lyon, Metz, Nantes and Toulouse, tens of thousands took to the streets on Wednesday evening. Other French cities also held vigils.
Protests in support of the Charlie Hebdo victims also took place in Berlin, Brussels, Madrid and London. In Moscow, people paid their condolences by leaving flowers, candles, and cartoons at the French embassy.
Gathering in front of French consulate in Brussels #JeSuisCharlie#CharlieHebdopic.twitter.com/bieEYqlWrU
— Tesa Arcilla (@TesaArcilla) January 7, 2015
